Elisa
Longo Borghini overcame cold and wet conditions to become the first Italian
winner of the Trofeo Binda World Cup. The young Hitec Products UCK rider
finished solo 1 minute 44 seconds ahead of the bunch.

Cittiglio
hosted its sixth Trofeo Binda as a World Cup in typical conditions. The rain
which was forecast fell all day and the temperature did not rise to double
figures. After a six kilometre neutralised zone from Laveno Mombello to
Cittiglio; which served as a ceremonial opening of a new cycle path, the
race began. After only ten kilometres, the pace was enough to stretch the
160 rider peloton into a long line.

It
was not until the first climb, though that a serious break was established.
That break contained Ashleigh Moolman (Lotto), Jessie Daams (Boels Dolmans),
Karol-Ann Canuel (Vienne Futuroscope) and Shara Gillow (Orica-AIS). The
quartet gained a maximum of 50 seconds and led through the highest point of
the small lap, Orino, the first time.

After
some spirited chasing, the bunch was back together again for the next climb,
with the pace slowing slightly whilst riders with ambitions to win bided
their time in the main group. A few kilometres further on however, three
riders broke away, observed by eventual winner, Longo Borghini. She
recognised their threat and chased them, caught them and broke away from
them alone.

Longo
Borghini was chased by Amanda Spratt (Orica-AIS), but the Italian was too
strong for the former Australian Champion. Longo Borghini slowly extended
her lead at the front and had a comfortable gap as she returned to the
sizable crowd waiting for the finish in Cittiglio, despite the conditions.

“I
am not the best in the sprint, I am not the best in the mountains, but I was
strong today and this is how I won, reflected Longo Borghini after the race.
“This is a big step for my career and shows the big improvement in Italian
women’s cycling”, she concluded.

Marianne
Vos retained the World Cup lead by finishing sixth, at the front of the
bunch. The Olympic and World Champion will wear the leader’s jersey
in the third round of the World Cup. The third race of the series takes
place in Belgium next Sunday in the Ronde van Vlaanderen.